This trip takes us on a journey along an ancient, high-level, trade route in a country visited by only a lucky few. We trek through splendid rhododendron forests, past yak herder settlements, across several passes and camp beside clear, blue, mountain lakes with spectacular views of the peaks which border Tibet. We also experience Bhutan’s fascinating culture and its colourful festivals with masked dances and general joviality. Note that different departures follow different itineraries.

Highlights

Paro Festival (April) - Thimpu Festival (Oct) - No festival (Oct)

A short classic trek through the beautiful Bhutanese countryside

An opportunity to gain an insight into the culture of the people

Two most famous and colourful cultural highlights; the Paro Dzong and Thimpu's Memorial Chorten

Responsible Travel

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Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here…

Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

We fly to Paro today. If the weather is clear, we should get a fantastic view (from the left hand side of the plane) of much of the eastern half of the Himalaya, including Everest,Makalu, Kanchenjunga and Chomolhari (Jhomolhari). After completing visa formalities in Paro, we transfer to our hotel. The Paro valley is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Bhutan. Its blue pine-covered hills and attractive, solidly built farmhouses among the paddy fields are dominated by the massive dzong, or fort. This afternoon we aim to visit the Paro Dzong and the National Museum above it. Paro Dzong is one of Bhutan's most impressive, and the finest example of Bhutanese architecture you will see. The inward sloping walls form a massive structure that towers over the town. Built in the 17th century it was one of Bhutan's strongest and most important fortresses and it was used on several occasions to defend the Paro Valley from invasions by Tibet. Formally the meeting hall for the National Assembly, the dzong now houses a monastic school and district government offices. Scenes from the 1995 film 'Little Buddha' were filmed in the dzong. West of the dzong a traditional wooden covered bridge called Nyamal Zam, a reconstruction of the original bridge, which was washed away in a flood in 1969. The most famous pictures of Paro Dzong are taken from the west bank of the river, just downstream from the bridge. At the top of the hill above the dzong is the old watchtower known locally as Ta Dzong. Originally built in 1656, it was renovated in 1968 by King Jigme Dorje Wangchuk to house the National Museum. Damaged by the earthquake in 2011, the museum is housed at the present time in a new building above the Ta Dzong. Inside the museum there are collections of masks and thangkas.Standard Hotel

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 3

Today we will have a warm up hike to Takstang Monastery. 'Tigers Nest' Monastery, is perched on the ledge of a cliff high above the Paro Valley. Partly destroyed by fire in 1998, it has now been completely restored to its former magnificence. We drive a short distance from the hotel and then hike up for about 1.5 hours to a viewpoint, for the classic views of the monastic buildings which cling impossibly to the cliff wall opposite. For the energetic there is the chance to walk another 2 hours to the actual monastery. The walk is good for acclimatization and we recommend you wear trekking boots and take trekking poles and plenty of water. Please note there about 100 steps up and down. Returning to the hotel we have time in the afternoon to explore Paro town.Standard Hotel

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 4

Today we start our trek. After breakfast we have a short drive to the ancient Ta Dzong watchtower (2400m). The first day's trekking is not long in terms of hours but it’s all the way uphill and we do gain quite a lot of height. From Ta Dzong it is a gentle climb for about 3 hours on a jeep track to a prayer wall. The trail then narrows and we continue climbing up a little steeper now through the forest. We have lunch about an hour further on in a clearing and then it’s about an hours walk in the afternoon to the Jele La (3550m) and our camp just below Jele Dzong (3530m). If the weather is clear we can see the Paro Valley below. The energetic can walk up and visit the Dzong. Approximately 10.5km, 5 hours walkingFull-service Camping

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 5

After breakfast we have time to explore the ancient 14th century Jele Dzong and if lucky we may be allowed inside. Our days walk begins with a short climb up the ridge before a descent into through thick rhododendron forest. Climbing back up again we emerge on the ridge and at times we can see the Paro Valley way below us and if the weather is clear we may even spot Chomolhari in the distance. Look out for the colourful Blood Pheasants which inhabit the forests. The trail climbs the ridge most of the day, through forests of rhododendrons. Today is a short day and we camp tonight at the yak herder’s settlement called Tsokam, just beyond Jangchu Lakha (3780m). Approx 8.3km, 4.5/5hours walking.Full-service Camping

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 6

A long day today and probably the hardest walk of the trek. We climb steeply up from camp on a narrow trail for about an hour to rejoin the main trail. We continue climbing through a rocky landscape littered with small rhododendron bushes. We reach a col at 4073m marked with prayer flags and then drop down a short way to a cave. The trail then climbs again quite steeply to a ridge at 4080m, from where on a clear day we get spectacular mountain views including Chomolhari and Jichudrake. We have lunch on the ridge to enjoy the views and then continue a little further up the ridge to 4120m. From here we contour round a little and then drop steeply on a rocky trail to the shores of Jimi Lang Tscho (3885m), well known for its trout. Approximately 9km, 6.5/7 hours walkingFull-service Camping

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 7

Another long but great day's walk with good mountain views. The trail climbs from camp along a rocky trail up to Janye Tscho Lake at 3956m. Climbing even higher and steeply there are two more lakes above us Dungtscho Tscho and Dungtscho Sama before we finally reach a cairn at 4150m. Below is Simthoka Lake (4090m) the highest lake on our trek. From the lake the trail undulates all the way to our camp at Labana (4100m). Approximately 10km, 7 hours walkingFull-service Camping

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 8

The trail today climbs gradually up to the Labana Pass at 4235m (the highest point of this trek). The views get better and better and on a clear day we can see Gangar Punsum, Table Mountain and much of the Bhutan Himalaya. Way below is the Thimpu Valley. From the top we traverse the hillside with great mountain views and descend towards Thimpu. There are a couple of small climbs to cols but the general direction is downhill. From the Phajoding Labsa chorten we descend quite steeply to Phajoding Monastery for lunch. There are several temples here and a monastic school and the place is a visited by many Bhutanese. We descend even further through forests of blue pine to the end of our trek at Motithang, just above Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan. We should reach our hotel by mid afternoon. The evening is free to explore Thimpu. Approximately 10km, 5.5/6hours walking.Standard Hotel

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 9

We spend all of today at the spectacular Thimpu festival. This takes place in the Tashichho Dzong, which is the centre of the Bhutanese Government, and is one of the most famous festivals in Bhutan. Thousands of people gather to see the monks dressed in colourful brocade, silk costumes and wearing painted masks re-enact the story of the gompa’s particular divinity though music and dance. For several days there are masked dances, prayer meetings and a general carnival atmosphere prevails as many villagers arrive to meet old friends.

No festival (Oct)

Full day at leisure or hike to Buddha View Point or hike to Tango Monastery at the end of the valley.Standard Hotel

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 10

We spend most of today visiting the main sights of the town including the Memorial Chorten, which was built in 1974 to honour the memory of the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, Simtokha dzong and a painting school. In the late afternoon we have a short (1hour) drive back to ParoStandard Hotel

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 11

Today we fly back to Kathmandu. The rest of the day is free to explore the temples and markets of Kathmandu or go shopping. We have several sightseeing tours on offer (see the notice board in the hotel in Kathmandu), or you may want to explore Kathmandu on your own. The Kathmandu Durbar Square is full of ancient temples and palaces. You may want to visit the monkey temple at Swayambhunath or the largest Hindu temple in Nepal at Pashupatinath or the one of the largest Buddhist stupas in Asia at Bodnath. Once you have had your fill of culture the colourful markets of Thamel are great for souvenir hunting. Please note that due to the recent earthquake some of these places may be closed; your guide will be able to give you more information on this.Standard Hotel

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 12

Please note that sometimes due to opening times, holidays or festivals we have to change the timings of the sightseeing around. We will endeavour to show you all the sights in the time available. In case it is not possible to visit any of the sights described in the notes above an alternative will be provided.

Meals included:
Breakfast

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

Essential Info

Visas

Bhutan

You will need a visa for Bhutan, which we will organise for you. The cost of the visa is included in the price of the trip (USD20). You will need to send us a clear copy of your passport on booking. We need this in order to organise your Bhutan visa in advance of your arrival. Please make sure that we have a copy no later than 6 weeks before departure. The passport copy can either be sent by post or scanned, in which case it has to be very clear and in colour.
If you need to get a new passport for the journey, please apply for this immediately, and send us the copy/scan as soon as you receive your new passport. It is VERY important that the information you give us is 100% correct, and that the copy of the passport you send us is the one on which you will be travelling to Bhutan.
Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required.

Nepal

Most nationalities require a visa for Nepal, which can be obtained in advance or on entry. If you wish to apply before departure the current visa cost is £20 for a 15 day visa and £35 for a 30 day visa for UK passport holders. The current cost of a visa on arrival is US$25 for 15 days, US$40 for 30 days or if extending your stay $100 for 90 days. All are multiple entry. The visa on arrival fee can be paid for in cash in US Dollars, Pounds Sterling or Euros. You will also need a passport photo. Application forms are available in the immigration hall (or for electronic passports there are visa registration machines which, after inserting your passport, automatically fill out a form for you). You must firstly join the queue to pay the visa fee, and then go to the relevant immigration desk to obtain your 15, 30 or 90 day visa stamp. There can be long queues for visas on arrival.

Non UK nationals should check requirements with their nearest embassy (a few nationalities are not permitted visas on arrival).

Vaccinations

Bhutan

There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. The risk of malaria is slight but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice.

Nepal

There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. The risk of malaria is present in certain regions only (such as Chitwan); you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Most of our trips to Nepal go to high altitudes where there is a risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness. Our itineraries are designed to enable everyone to acclimatise to these altitudes, but you should be aware that it is still possible for you to be affected. Please refer to the TRIP NOTES for complete advice on AMS.

Eating and Drinking

Breakfast is included throughout the trip and all food is provided in Bhutan. The meals in the hotels in Bhutan are usually buffet style and include Bhutanese and Western food. The food in Bhutan can sometimes be a bit bland. The meals on trek are a mixture of Bhutanese, western and Chinese. Please allow approx. GBP20-25 (USD35-45) per day for other main meals in Kathmandu.

Weather

Himalayan views tend to be best between October to December, as the weather is generally clear with sunny skies. From March to May the valleys are awash with colour when the famous rhododendrons bloom; the country has over 45 wild species.You will experience a range of temperatures during the trip depending on the altitude. During the day temperatures will be approx 10ºC-20ºC. At night temperatures will drop in autumn to about 3ºC-4ºC. Although these departures do not fall inside the normal monsoon season there is always a chance of rain in Bhutan and you should be prepared for this. If it rains on trek the trails become very muddy. There can sometimes be snowfall at the higher altitudes on trek especially in spring.

Is this trip for you?

Grade 4: Moderate/Challenging.

5 days walking; maximum altitude 4235m, average 3950m. This trip covers the best Bhutan has to offer. First we visit the idyllic Paro valley, with its impressive dzong, unique Bhutanese architecture and sleepy town centre. We also visit the capital Thimpu, having time to see the imposing government buildings and the curious shops in the town centre. The trek is a classic Himalayan trekking route. You can generally expect good service on the trek.

This trip is for those who would like to combine the cultural highlights of Bhutan with beautiful Himalayan walking.

Travelling and Walking Conditions

We follow a route which was formerly an important link between Paro and Thimpu and which has been used for generations by pack animals. However please note that the trekking trails in Bhutan are more remote and less well marked than in Nepal. The route we trek is rarely used nowadays and the trails are quite narrow and rocky in places.

We recommend trekking poles for walking in Bhutan. It regularly rains in Bhutan which can make the trails slippery. In early spring there can be some snowfall at the higher altitudes. The highest altitude we reach on the trek is 4235m and the highest we sleep is 4100m. This route presents a great variety of walking from pleasant pine and rhododendron forests to rocky landscapes and passes and high altitude lakes.

Trekking is still relatively new in Bhutan and you are unlikely to meet many other trekkers. Please be aware that whilst the distances on the five-day trek are not considered to be challenging; the altitude can sometimes pose a problem as your body adjusts to the difference. The pace of this trek is kept slow continually and there will be many opportunities to stop and enjoy the stunning views and Himalayan scenery. Walking hours stated are given as approximates only. Timings stated include lunch and photo stops and will vary depending on the pace of your group. You may find our Fitness Training Guide a useful reference: http://www.exodus.co.uk/assets/pdf/Exodus_WT_Fitness_Training_Guide.pdf

Accommodation

Accommodation is mostly in standard hotels though 2 nights on the trek will be in spacious 2-person tents. We also provide dining and toilet tents, stools, tables, cooking and kitchen gear and a team of support staff.

All groups will be accompanied by a local Bhutanese guide, who will be supported by a cook, assistant guides and yakmen. Whilst on trek we will wake you up with a cup of hot tea, and will also provide a small bowl of warm washing water in the mornings.

Smoking

Please note that smoking is technically banned in Bhutan. Tourists are permitted to smoke in certain designated areas but must bring their own cigarettes (up to 200 cigarettes). They must, however, pay duty on any tobacco product they import (up to 200% tax). Smoking in a public place can result in a fine as long you have proof of having paid the duty. If no proof of having paid the duty can be produced then there is the risk of a minimum 3 years imprisonment.

Travelling in Bhutan Travelling in Bhutan is still in its infancy. All foreigners must travel through an official travel agent and be accompanied by a Bhutanese guide. Exodus uses well trained Bhutanese guides, but please be aware that the guides are sometimes restricted in what they are allowed to do and where they are allowed to take you. There is plenty of time to enjoy the differing features of each centre whilst travelling through the magnificent countryside. There is time to study the monasteries, browse in the bazaars, or relax with a cup of tea in incredible surroundings. This trip is varied, although not demanding, and should appeal to those who like to see something a little different.

Alternative itineraries

Two of our 2017 departures, in April and October, have been scheduled to coincide with festivals whilst the third, in October, is scheduled to take place during the best time for trekking in Bhutan.

The daily itinerary for the departure Ex London 03/04/2017 visits the Paro festival so the itinerary is as follows:

Accommodation

Hotels & Camping

You will spend 7 nights in hotels with en suite rooms and 4 nights in full service camps. Your rooms in Bhutan will be simple, as tourism in the country is still in its infancy. All food is included and is usually a simple mix of Bhutanese, continental and Chinese buffet served buffet style.

Reviews

Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon (18Mar16-30Mar16)

Excellent trip packing in the cultural highlights, a festival, and trekking which is kind of necessary given the daily rate charged by the Bhutanese authorities! So probably the best and most affordable! way of experiencing Bhutan

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

a toss up between the Paro festival and the 5 days trekking

What did you think of your group leader?

Norbu was an excellent leader; extremely knowledgeable and helpful in explaining his countries culture and showing us the sights, including an impromptu archery lesson!

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

For the 5 day trek I would suggest that people prepare for lower night time temperatures, possibly down to -10 degrees C

Trekking with Culture in Bhutan

Although we had disappointing weather - it rained mostly while trekking - this trip takes you to one of those beautiful places which the majority of people still haven't heard of. And that's the beauty of it. There are few tourists and the Bhutanese themselves are delightful and unspoilt. The Buddhist culture and local traditions are fascinating There is no hard sell and there are no hawkers. They are happy for you just to have a look at their crafts without buying when you go into the shops. This is after all The Land of Gross National Happiness.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

More like highlights, of which there were many. The walk up to the Tiger's Nest Monastery. An out of programme trip organised by our leaders to visit the beautiful dzong in Punakha together with an impromptu visit to a local festival in Wangdue Phodrang. Stories of the Divine Madman and seeing phalluses painted all over the houses which are a sign of good luck here. Watching boy monks dancing in costume inside their dzong. Assisting in a ceremony inside one of the temples. Watching the festival in Thimpu and observing the locals dressed in their best ceremonial clothes, and more mundane things - but not least important! - like hot water bottles at night on trek, solar lamps, delicious pizza and cake made by the camp chef.

What did you think of your group leader?

Norbu and Karma were excellent leaders. Both were well organised and took great care of the group. Karma took care of the monastic/temples side of the trip explaining everything about the Buddhist religion, whilst Norbu told us more about the politics, royal family and social/environmental structure of the country and how they are striving to get it all right. Both were complimentary to each other. Karma fell over backwards to try and keep us happy......during the rain! He even washed our muddy boots in the river at the end of the trek!

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

This is NOT a trek for BEGINNERS. The altitude is something to be taken seriously (over 4000mts asl) and also physical fitness is an absolute must. Trekking, albeit the foothills, in the Himalayas is hard on the body. However, if you are used to hill walking , you will love it.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Just that if you do go, try to go over one of the festival periods as it's well worth it. Oh, and if you think you will lose weight with all the walking......you won't! The food on trek is wonderful and loads of it!

What did you think of your group leader?

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Bhutan

They measure their wealth in terms of Gross Domestic Happiness and I would think they top the league. The most beautiful country where tradition is encouraged, set in the foothills of the Himalayas, beneath the snow capped mountains of the high Himalayas. The trekking was not too difficult in itself, but 16,000 feet of altitude certainly adds an extra degree of exertion. But what views, what Majesty and what a feeling of achievement when you have completed it. I walked in the Himalayas.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

From start to finish everything was different, but the most outstanding feature was the friendliness and happiness of the people.

What did you think of your group leader?

Our leader and assistant leader were excellent. I treated them as friends, well they are.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

The altitude does make a big difference. What would have been easy trekking in the UK becomes more difficult at altitude. You can get tablets for altitude sickness. One of our group did suffer but within half an hour of taking the tablets, was well recovering.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Bhutan is remote and you fly in through Kathmandu, You get a half day in Kathmandu on the return and it is advisable to make the most of this opportunity. Bhaktapur and the stupa at Boudhanath a well worth a visit. We got Taxis from the airport upon arrival from Bhutan, they stayed with us for the afternoon and did not cost the earth.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

BHUTAN: LAND OF THE THUNDER DRAGON

I absolutely loved this trip!! Bhutan is a very fascinating country with beautiful people and amazing scenery. The combination of trekking in the Himalaya and experiencing the culture is absolutely mindblowing and I can highly recommend this trip to everyone!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Trekking through the Himalaya was mindblowing for me. You don't get to meet any people and can walk in your own pace in a breathtaking environment and that to me was sooo amazing. Also being able to learn about the culture and attend the Thimphu festival was a definate highlight.

What did you think of your group leader?

Pasang and Dorji were absolutely fantastic tourguides who took care of everyone at all times. They were very knowledgeable and easy-going. If I ever come back to Bhutan I would make sure that either one of them would lead the tour.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Trekking in altitude is definately something different then doing the same amount of kilometres in 'normal' conditions so make sure to be fit... Also make sure to take a shirt with a collar cause otherwise you cannot attend the Thimphu festival. This was not mentioned as clearly in our tripnotes so a couple of people ended up borrowing shirts from the guys...

BHUTAN: LAND OF THE THUNDER DRAGON

I loved the trip! I had wanted to go to Bhutan for a very long time and it really lived up to my expectations. Amazing scenery, amazing people and amazing guides. It was a great combination of a challenging trek plus culture in an area not greatly visited. It felt like a real treat from start to finish!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

I think managing to sleep at 4,100m and feel ok. Finally I had acclimatised and was much fitter! The scenery was mind blowing too - you really felt you were at the centre of the world!Bhutan still feels very untouched but it's definitely starting to change so you need to go NOW...

What did you think of your group leader?

Our group leader Pasang was fantastic. He looked after all of us amazingly well. Dorji who was the local guide was very kind too and I felt that we all built up a great relationship with them both which meant we got far more out of the trip as we had a much more of an understanding of Bhutan.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Yes whilst on the trip notes it said it was a moderate trip it is definately equal to doing the Inca Trail which is listed as moderate to challenging i.e. you need to train! This was something that I didn't do a huge amount of before we left as I come from Derbyshire and equate the Yorkshire Dales with walking not trekking. I did survive though and am now far more fit!

Dates & Prices

An overview of flight options

Exodus is committed to making joining our tours as easy as possible, wherever you live. We generally only block book seats from London, but this certainly does not mean that you need to fly from there. Depending on the route and airlines available, there will usually be various options available for those who want to fly from their local airport.

This page aims to provide a useful overview of the options available to our clients. However, the best flight arrangements should be tailored to your personal requirements, so please contact our Sales team for expert advice.

What kind of options do I have ?

1. We can book for you: Flights from anywhere in the world - not via London

Depending on the route, this may be direct or via an overseas hub like Amsterdam, the Middle East or elsewhere. On short haul routes there may be direct flights with low cost airlines, charter flights or scheduled airlines. Exodus can book most, but not all, of these for you. The most appropriate airline may be different to that which we use for the group flight from London, but many people now travel on different airlines and meet up with their fellow passengers at the destination.

Pros

Cons

May be the most direct route

Often the extra fare compared to the London flight is minimal.

As you will be in the hands a single airline for your entire journey, the airline will be responsible for your bags and your connections.

You may not be able to join the group transfers. However, we can usually arrange private transfers, or book your flights to try and coincide with the group transfers. See notes on transfer arrangements below.

2. We can book for you: Connecting flights from your local airport to London

Exodus can book connecting flights to London so you can join the group flight there. Connecting times will be followed according to airline advice, or as requested by clients. There are two types of fares we can use for this option: a 'through-fare' or a 'published fare'.

a) A 'through-fare' is where you will be in the main airline's care throughout. You change planes, but your bags are checked all the way through to your final destination.

b) A 'published fare' ticket is completely seperate from your onward ticket from London. It is usually cheaper than a through-fare but will need to be paid for and issued as soon as it is booked. This can be a problem if your tour has not yet reached minimum numbers. On 'published fares' neither airline is aware that you have connecting flights, so Exodus is responsible for timing your connection, not the airlines involved. The tickets are also usually non changeable and non refundable.

Pros

Cons

Depending on the fare type, Exodus or the airline is responsible for flight connections.

Through fare tickets can be expensive.

On a published fare, tickets must be issued immediately; tickets on published fares can be very difficult to change if onward flight times change; bags are not checked though to your final destination.

Published fares are non-refundable.

3. Booking some or all of the flights yourself

You can also book connecting air travel yourself, either to London, or all the way to the start point. There may be certain airlines or routes we don't have access to, so this is always an option. However, if you make your own travel arrangements you become liable for any delays, cancellations or missed connections, and Exodus is not required to offer refunds if you have trouble reaching the start of your trip.

Pros

Cons

You might find cheaper fares, or routes not available to Exodus.

You are responsible for any delays or missed connections, and the cost of the tour is not protected should you miss your flight be cancelled.

Notes on transfer arrangements

Sometimes it is possible to travel on a different airline to the group flight from London. Where this is the case, we need to think about ensuring you meet up with the group with minimum extra cost and hassle.

On certain trips, it is easy to arrive on a different flight and still meet the group at the hotel with time in hand. We can usually arrange private transfers (at extra cost) or offer advice on taking a taxi to the start hotel.

On other trips (especially in Europe), the transfer meets the group flight and then travels some distance to the first night's accommodation. Where this is the case, our Sales team will try to arrange flights that arrive before (and depart after) the group. However, we do have to make it clear in your final documentation that if your flights are delayed, the transfer cannot wait for you. While Exodus or our local operators will do what we can to help you reach the start point of the tour, any additional costs must be paid by the client.